Manikin



April 3, 1962 Filed June 22, 1959 M. A. WOLF MANIKIN 2 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR. Mme/.5 4. W04;

April 1962 M. A. WOLF 3,028,058

MANIKIN Filed June 22, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3,028,058 Patented Apr. 3,1962 Tic 3,028,058 MANIKIN Morris A. Wolf, 1545 N. Laurel Ave, LosAngeles, Calif. Filed June 22, 1959, Ser. No. 821,951 6 Claims. (Cl.223-68) The present invention relates generally to clothes displaymanikins, and more particularly to manikins adapted to naturally displayclothing frOm any angle.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved manikin for thedisplay of clothing, and especially for displaying clothing insubstantially the same configuration the clothing will assume on thebody of a wearer, with particular reference to the appearance of anarticle of clothing at the shoulders.

Another object of the invention is to provide a manikin particularlyadapted for the effective display of trousers and having a configurationwhich will support a trouser crease without wrinkling for as long as theclothing is on the manikin.

The invention also has for an object the provision of detachable basemembers for a truncated manikin that are provided with means formaintaining the creases of a pair of pants.

Yet another object of my invention is toprovide a manikin that is usablethroughout all seasons of the year for the display of sports or moreformal clothing, appropriate to the season, by selective utilization ofa pair of a leg-supporting members that are detachably mounted on themanikin.

A still further object of the invention is the provision ofpants-shaping means for a truncated manikin made of a materialpenetrable by fastening pins in order to contain within hollow legs ofthe manikin the lower-end portions of the trousers being displayed.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparentfrom the following description when taken in conjunction with theannexed drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a three-quarter front perspective view of one form ofmanikin embodying my invention, and particularly illustrating theimproved manner in which clothing, in this instance a mans suit, isdisplayed by the manikin;

FIGURE 2 is a three-quarter front perspective view of the manikin ofFIGURE 1 with the clothing removed;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a view of the area 4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a bottom end view of one of the legs of the manikin ofFIGURE 2 in the direction of the arrow 5;

FIGURE 6 is a partial perspective view of the upper portion of the torsoof the manikin and particularly illustrating a recessed support meansfor a manikin head;

FIGURE 7 is a partial front elevation view of the manikin of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 8 is a three-quarter front perspective view of another embodimentof the manikin of my invention that is particularly adapted for usethroughout the year;

FIGURE 9 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 99 of FIGURE8; and

FIGURE 10 is a partial vertical sectional view taken along the line10-10 of FIGURE 8.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 of the drawings, there is shown a male manikinof hollow construction, designated generally by the numeral 20, andwhich may be made of plastic-impregnated fabric or other suitablematerial. This manikin includes a torso 22 supported by a truncated pairof legs 24 and surmounted by a sculptured head 26. On opposite sides thetorso mounts a pair of articulated arms 28, of conventionalconstruction, whose extremities bear removable and adjustable hands 30.

More particularly, the torso 22 has a configuration conforming to a suitform of a given size as, for example, a mans size 40. The opposite sidesof the torso 22 are relieved, as indicated by the numerals 32, toprovide recesses or sockets 32 overhung by the manikins shoulders andwithin which the upper end of an articulated arm assembly 28 is swivellyseated. Referring now to FIG- URE 1 wherein a suit coat 34 is on themanikin 20, it will be observed that there are no unnatural shouldergathers and no tugging is observable on the suit coat, due to theutilization of the overhang projecting beyond shoulder sockets 32. Itwill be understood that the suit coat 34 is of a size conforming to thesize of the torso 22 and, since the torso 22 is a replica of a suitform, the suit coat 34 will hang naturally on the torso. This isparticularly important in avoiding the necessity of pinning up the backof the suit coat so that the draped model can be placed on a turntableand revolved to effectively and attractively display the clothing fromany angle.

I have observed that conventional manikins with detachable or adjustableheads have an unsightly line or aperture where the lower end of the headis mounted on the neck or torso of the manikin. When the manikin is usedfor the display of dress shirts or the like, this parting line isvisible above the upper edge of the collar and greatly detracts from thedisplay. It will be noted in FIGURE 1 that with my manikin, although thehead 26 is both angularly adjustable and detachable, no such partingline is visible above the upper edge of a dress shirt 36 worn by themanikin 20.

This natural appearance of the manikin is achieved by a constructionsuch as is best seen in FIGURE 6. It will be observed that the torso 22at its upper end is formed with a cavity 40 of generally circularcross-sectional configuration adapted for a close-sliding fit with aneck '42 of the head 26. A planar floor 44 is provided to define thebottom of the cavity 40 and centrally supports a plug 46 adapted forslidable mating reception within a substantially centrally locatedcylindrical aperture 48 formed in the bottom end of the neck 42. InFIGURE 7 the neck 42 is shown in place within the cavity 40 and it willbe observed that the upper edge of the collar of the shirt 36 isdisposed well above the intersection of the neck with the torso 22, thusproviding the unblemished appearance of the manikin seen in FIG- URE 1.

A very realistic appearance is imparted to the head 26 by the use ofhair-simulating laminations of cloth 52, a suitable number of pieces ofwhich are shaped and arranged on top of the head. The pieces of cloth 52are irregularly arranged to create furrows such as would be left by acomb and adhesively secured to the head 26 by a suitable plasticadhesive with which the cloth 52 may be impregnated. The effect achievedby this construction is far more effective than the conventionalutilization of sculptured integral portions of the head to which a coatof paint is applied.

Manikins with truncated legs are frequently used for the display of menssuits, the trouser legs customarily being reversely folded back into thehollow legs of the manikin or, alternatively, draped over the edge of aplatform on which the manikin is placed. For the most effective displayof the clothing it is essential that the crease of the trouser legs bepreserved, but with conventional manikins this has been quitetroublesome to window dressers, who customarily utilize paper packing orother materials in an effort to maintain the trouser-leg creases. Thishas involved a disproportionate amount of time and eifort, which iscompletely eliminated with my improved manikin.

In order to assure a neat appearance of a pair of trousers 58 on themanikin 20, the manikin legs 24 are of somewhat ovoid cross-sectionalconfiguration rather than being sculptured to conform. to the naturalconfiguration of the human leg. This is best seen from FIGURE 5, showingthe configuration of the bottom end of the leg 24, which. issubstantially typical of the cross section of the leg throughout itslength. The tubular leg has a minor axis substantially equivalent to thecorresponding dimension of a human leg, but has a major axissubstantially exceeding the corresponding dimension of a leg andsubstantially matingly equivalent to the spacing between the front andrear vertical creases of the trousers 53 when worn by a person, althoughthis dimension may be slightly smaller so as to allow the trousers tohang more freely. Referring to FIGURE 2, it will be seen that each leg24 at both its rear and front portions is formed with a verticallyextending peak, crown or apex 54 adapted to nest within the trousercreases to support them against distortion when the lower ends of thetrouser legs are reversely folded into the manikin legs 24 (see FIGURE3).

In order to avoid damage to the trousers 58 by the fasteners, usuallypins, employed in fastening the trousers to the manikin legs, each leg24 in its lower end, and encased within the material of the manikin, hasan ovoid ring 54, of the same configuration as the manikin leg, made ofa material adapted for ready penetration by a pin 56 or the like, suchas balsa wood. Due to the nature of the material of the ring 54, thepins 56 can very easily be inserted and withdrawn and the possibility ofdamage to the fabric of the trousers 58 is thereby avoided.

In FIGURE 8 there is shown another form of manikin, indicated generallyby the numeral 60, of a type that is equally well adapted for thedisplay of either sports clothing or more formal clothing. The manikin6%, unlike the manikin 20, has a torso 62 supported by a pair oftruncated legs 64, all of which are sculptured in the sense that theyconform as closely as possible to the human form rather than to a suitform, as in the case of the torso 22 in the manikin Ed. The manikin 6ilike the manikin 20, is preferably made of a plastic-coated fabricmaterial but, unlike the manikin 20, is armless and has an integrallyformed sculptured neck 66 surmounted by a cover plate 68, having aperipheral downwardly extending flange overhanging the neck. A stud bolt70 is centrally atlixed in the upper end of the neck 66 to extendthrough a bore in the plate 68 and through a bore of a cap 72 which isheld in place on the plate 68 by a somewhat spherical nnt 74. It will beobserved that the cap 72 is also formed with a peripheral downwardlyextending flange 72a serving to space the body of the cap upwardly abovethe cover plate 68.

When the manikin 6t? is employed without a shirt a drapery cloth may beinserted under the cap 72 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 9. Forthis purpose the nut 74 is removed to permit removal of the cap 72,after which the upper ends of a drape material 76 can be placed on topof the cover plate 68. The cap '72 is then replaced on the bolt 7% andsecured in place with the nut '74. The manikin 60 can then be used forthe display of a sports coat or the like placed over the manikin 60 asclothed by the drape 76.

Due to its sculptured form, the manikin 66 is particularly well adaptedfor the display of sports clothing, such as swimming trunks 80 (seeFIGURE 8), or for other articles of clothing as, for example, aheach-and-pool wardrobe. However, in accordance with my invention themanikin 6d and, in fact, almost any conventional manikin can be adaptedfor the display of more formal clothing and particularly trousers.

For this purpose I have provided a pair of detachable leg bases, eachdesignated generally by the numeral 82. Each of the bases 82 comprises agenerally ovoid ring of balsa wood or like material of substantially thesame configuration as is shown in FIGURE 5. At diametrically oppositepoints on the minor axis of the base 82 a pair of inwardly extendingmetal tabs 84 are aliixed thereto. Each of the manikin legs 64- at itslower end encases a foundation ring 86 built up of plaster within thematerial of the manikin and each of the rings 36 also has embeddedtherein a pair of inwardly extending tabs 33. The tabs 84 and tabs 38are formed with aligned bores and each of the tabs 88 is adapted tothreadedly receive a fastener 96 which is inserted upwardly through oneof the base tabs $4,. With this arrangement each of the bases 32 isafiixcd to the lower end of a manikin leg 64- in a relationship to theleg such as is illustrated on the right let. 6 as viewed in FIGURE 8.

Each of the balsa bases 82 has diametrically opposite apices 54'analogous to the apices 54 of the manikin 2d of FIGURE 2. During thespring and summer selling seasons the manikin 60 is employed without thebases 82 for the display of swim or sportswear. In the fall and winterseasons the same manikin 60 can be employed for the display of somewhatmore formal but still casual clothing, including slacks, by mounting thebases 82 to the lower ends of the legs 64. Thus, as is shown in FIGURE10, a pair of slacks indicated in phantom line at 92 can be placed onthe manikin 60 with the creases registering with apices 54' of the bases82. The creases of the slacks 92 are thus held in the desired shape andagainst folding, and the lower ends of the slacks legs are foldedreversely and upwardly into the hollow legs 64 of the manikin. Ifdesired, suitable fasteners can be employed to hold the slacks legs inplace on the bases 82-.

It will be appreciated that the individual features of each of themanikins 20 and 60 may be used with either of the manikins or that someof these individual features may be employed as adaptations ofpreviously existing manikin configurations. While I have shown aplurality of embodiments of my invention herein, it is to be understoodthat I do not mean to be limited to the particular details ofconstruction illustrated and described but only as limited by thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. In a manikin for displaying articles of clothing, the improvementcomprising: a torso on a pair of truncated legs, at least the lower endportions of said legs being hollow whereby the lower ends of a pair oftrouser legs to be worn by said manikin can be reversely folded into andwithin said manikin legs to be concealed therein, the lower portions ofsaid manikin legs being adapted for penetration by a fastener means tohold said trouser legs in place, said truncated legs being generallyovoid in horizontal cross-sectional configuration with verticallyextending front and rear apices at opposite ends of the major axis ofsaid ovoid configuration of said legs, said apices of said legs beingdisposed to receive the creases of said trouser legs thereon.

2. In a manikin for displaying articles of clothing, the improvementcomprising: at least a portion of a torso having hip and waistsimulating portions above and on a pair of legs, each of said legshaving vertically disposed means defining a cross-sectionalconfiguration matingly complementary to the cross-sectionalconfiguration of a creased trouser leg and adapted for coaction with thelegs of a pair of trousers to be worn by said manikin to maintain thecreases of said trousers in a creased condition.

3. In a manikin for displaying articles of clothing, the improvementcomprising: hip and waist simulating portions of a torso on a pair oflegs that extend downwardly beyond said hip and waist simulatingportions, each of said legs throughout a vertically extending portionthereof having a cross-sectional configuration that is matinglycomplementary to the cross-sectional configuration of the leg of a pairof trousers of an appropriate size to be worn by said manikin andadapted for coaction with said trouser legs to maintain the creases ofsaid trouser legs against displacement out of the configuration assumedby said trouser legs as suspended from said manikin.

4. In a manikin for displaying trousers, the improvement comprising: atleast a portion of a torso having hip and waist simulating portionsabove and on a pair of legs, both of said legs having front and rearvertically disposed and arranged means to interiorly engage front andrear creases of the legs of a pair of trousers of an appropriate sizefor said manikin, to maintain the creases of said trouser legs.

5. In a manikin for displaying articles of clothing, the improvementcomprising: a torso on a pair of legs, said legs being generally ovoidin horizontal cross-sectional configuration and having verticallyextending front and rear apices integrally formed in said legs tointeriorly engage front and rear creases of the legs of a pair oftrousers of an appropriate size to be worn by said manikin to maintainthe creases of said trouser legs, said torso, above the waist, havingthe configuration of a standard suit form, the shoulders of said torsobeing formed with opposite outwardly opening enlarged sockets overhungby the shoulders of said suit form, the edges of said shoulders of saidsuit form having a spacing corresponding to the spacing between shoulderseams of a suit coat of appropriate size to be worn by said torso andbeing receivable in said shoulder seams, said torso also supporting apair of arms swivelly connected within said shoulder sockets, said armsoccupying a volume less than the volume of a normal arm configuration.

6. A supporting base member for attachment to the leg of a manikincomprising a generally ovoid ring of material having major and minoraxes, said ring at opposite ends of its major axis having its peripheryformed with apices to interiorly engage the front and rear creases of aleg of trousers to be Worn by said manikin, and means on said ring tosecure said ring to the leg of a manikin with said apices disposed tointeriorly engage the creases of trousers to be worn by the manikin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS130,068 Parent July 30, 1872 2,329,006 Sieve Sept. 7, 1943 2,534,757Cordell et a1. Dec. 19, 1950 2,632,586 Barrango Mar. 24, 1953 FOREIGNPATENTS 609,437 France Jan. 3, 1928 640,682 France Apr. 3, 1928 OTHERREFERENCES Darling Displays, Catalog 275, March 20, 1953, pages 15, 16and 20.

